California Beaches
55 Hot California Beach Festivals
From surfing to sandcastles, music to food, kites, cars, fish, birds, dogs and whales, California beach festivals come in all sizes and subject matter. Extremely popular, some can attract millions of people (4th of July) who find paradise on the sand.
January-February
New Year's Day Polar
Plunges January 1, 2027
AVALON
AVILA BEACH
CAYUCOS
HUNTINGTON BEACH
SAN PEDRO
New Year's Polar Plunges on the beach and briefly in the Pacific Ocean
usually begin with contests such as best New Year's Costume. They also may
include ceremonies such as crowning of the King & Queen, limbo contests, or
other funny activities, celebrations or pomp & circumstance.
March
DANA POINT: Festival of the Whales March 6-8, 2026
Dana Wharf
34675 Golden
Lantern
Dana Point, CA
Free,
festivalofwhales.com
Three glorious days
of sun, sand, sports, games, art, food, a parade, classic woodies, and
recognition of the California's migrating attraction - whales!
April
MONTEREY:
Whalefest April
11-12, 2026, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Custom House Plaza
Old Fisherman's Wharf
#1 Old Fisherman's Wharf
Monterey, CA
Free, montereywharf.com
Lectures from scientists and researchers are only one part of this festival
which also includes vendors, music and activities at Monterey Wharf overlooking
the Monterey Bay within walking distance of the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium. This
coastline is home to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the largest
national marine sanctuary in the continental U.S.
RANCHO PALSO VERDES:
Whale of a Day Celebration April
11, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Point Vicente Interpretive Center
31501 Palos Verdes Drive West
Free,
whaleofaday.com
Musical performances, whale watching, tours, vendors and interactive learning
make this beach festival fun with a focus on educating the public about whale
activities and migrations along the California coast.
LONG BEACH: Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach April 17-19, 2026
Tickets: $40-175 approx., gplb.com
America's #1 Street Race. The three day festival takes place along the downtown
streets and marina where guests can buy grandstand seating to view both the
race and the Long Beach harbor, sandy beaches, port and Queen Mary ship.
LA JOLLA: La Jolla Concours d'Elegance
April 24-26, 2026
Location: La Jolla Cove at Ellen Browning Scripps Park, 1133 Coast Blvd. La Jolla (San Diego), CA 92037
$99-up, LaJollaConcours.com
Sunday, April 26, 2026 is when the Big Event takes places.
The weekend of cocktail parties and VIP events have ticket options with prices that vary according to events.
The setting is quite special.
MORRO BAY: Morro Bay Kite Festival April 24-26, 2026
Morro Rock Beach
Morro Bay, CA
Free, morrobay.org
Kites of every size and color soaring in the wind at Morro Rock Beach for
a family fun time. Five hundred kites provided for kids on Saturday.
PT. REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE:
Point Reyes Birding
& Nature Festival "Celebrating Wonder & Wildlife in Marin County & Beyond"
April 24-26, 2026
Multiple locations in Point Reyes National Seashore
Here's one example: Upper Drakes Beach Road near the intersection with Sir
Francis Drake Boulevard | 1 Drakes Beach Road, Point Reyes National
Seashore, CA
$, pointreyesbirdingfestival.org
POINT ARENA: Almost Fringe Festival + Wind & Whale Festival April 25, 2026,
10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
pointarena.net/events
Wind & Whale Celebration at the Point Arena Lighthouse is part of the
Almost Fringe Festival (events in town & at the cove from 11 a.m. to 7 pm) ; Whale experts are available and Kite Wranglers fly their kites for the entire event (or when wind is right!) Almost Fringe celebrates the arts in downtown area.
May
REDONDO BEACH:
Beach Life Festival May 1-3, 2026, Doors open at 12 p.m.
239 North Harbor Drive
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
50+ Musical Performances,
4 Stages on the Beach,
Locally Sourced Food & Drink,
Installations from Local Artists, Ample Public Parking Next to Festival.
Bands: Duran Duran, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Offspring, The Chainsmokers, Slightly Stoopid, Grouplove, Switchfoot and more
BODEGA BAY: Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival
May 2-3, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Westside Regional Park
2400 Westshore Road
Bodega Bay, CA
$20 / $30 for 2 day pass, bbfishfest.org
Blessing of the Fleet and Wooden Boat Challenge celebrate local fishing
heritage. This scenic fishing village is known as the film location for
Alfred Hitchcock's thriller, The Birds.
BALBOA ISLAND (Newport Beach):
Balboa Island Artwalk May 17, 2026, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
South Bayfront
Balboa, CA
On the walkway that circles the island artists are set up with their
artwork, including plenty of watercolor beach scenes. Musicians and bands
perform on the porches of houses in this limited space where the sidewalks
can become crowded, and shoppers often step onto the sand. With the Newport
Bay ever in sight, watch boats, Balboa Island Ferry and vacationers soaking
up the sun with sand between their toes.
LONG BEACH:
Long Beach Pride May 16-17, 2026, 12-8 p.m.
Marina Green
386 E. Shoreline Dr Long Beach, CA
$ longbeachpride.com
This ticketed annual festival on Marina Green next to the ocean includes
concerts and entertainment surrounding Rainbow Lagoon. The backdrop is Long
Beach Arena's painted mural, Wyland's 'Planet Ocean', recognized by Guinness
Records as the World's Largest Mural.
ARCATA - FERNDALE: Kinetic Sculpture Race May 23-25, 2026
Day 1 Arcata - Samoa - Eureka
Day 2 Eureka - Table Bluff - Loleta
Day 3 Loleta - Fernbridge - Ferndale
Free to see, kineticgrandchampionship.com
It's a race of the crazy, man-made art vehicles built to traverse land and
water. Watching the event requires traveling to points along the race course,
including beaches. Participating means you have to build one of these
kinetic sculpture cars or bikes and form a team to help you get through three
days of sand, water, mud and city streets.
HERMOSA BEACH - Fiesta Hermosa May
23-25, 2026 fiestahermosa.com
While much of the focus of this annual Memorial Day Weekend festival is on the
pavement where artists and vendors show their wares, a huge bike valet, bands on
stage and other entertainment and activities are on the adjoining beach at the
base of Hermosa Pier. If you aren't prepared, it's easy to get burned if it's
your first big beach outing of the year.
PISMO BEACH: The Classic at Pismo Beach Car Show
May 29-31, 2026
9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday & Saturday
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Pismo Beach Downtown
Car registration: justcruzin.com
Show info: theclassicatpismobeach.com
Cool classic cars, woodies and rods fill Pomeroy Avenue heading down to the
base of Pismo Beach Pier where there's an equal amount of buzz at the beach
— a mix of spillover and happy surfers & sunbathers.
June
LAGUNA BEACH: Kelpfest
June 6, 2026, 9-11 a.m.
Main Beach - Cobblestones
(Pacific Coast Highway)
Laguna Beach, CA
Free, lagunaoceanfoundation.org/kelpfest
Kelp is something that divers have to cope with in Laguna Beach, but it's a
positive, life-giving force for animals, fish and other plants in this
fragile ecosystem. Laguna Beach volunteers work under the direction of
scientists and marine experts to plant kelp and hold this festival annually
at the beach to bring awareness.
ENCINITAS:
BRO-AM Beach Fest June 13, 2026
Moonlight Beach
Encinitas, CA
Free, broam.org/broam-event
Free concert at the beach, including Switchfoot & Friends, plus surf
contests, interactive experiences, Vendor Villages, and very special moments
with beneficiary kids
ALAMEDA: Alameda Sand Castle and Sand Sculpture Contest June 20, 2026, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Robert Crown Memorial State Beach
Alameda, CA
Free! alamedaca.gov
Sandcastles come and go but the annual Sand Sculpture Contest comes back
every year in June for the public to participate in and watch. Alameda is
one of the few beach cities hosting such an event which is surprising,
considering many California beach cities have some of the best sand in the
world for castle building!
REDONDO BEACH: Redondo Beach Summer Festival
June 26-28, 2026
Riviera Village
Redondo & Catalina I Avenues
Redondo Beach, CA
Free, rvsummerfestival.com
Three days of music in the streets, art vendors, entertainment, carnival
rides and plenty of street food options, all on the hill above the Pacific Ocean
with steps to the beach accessible across the street from the fest. Technically
the fest isn't ON the beach but the beach is right there.
SANTA CRUZ: Woodies
on the Wharf June 27, 2026,
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Santa Cruz Wharf
Santa Cruz, CA
Free to see,
santacruzwoodies.com
California's longest municipal wharf sets the stage for the annual car show
featuring beautifully-restored "woods." With the beach and Santa Cruz
Boardwalk providing the backdrop, there are some great rides, arcades and
even a beach train for additional entertainment.
SAN FRANCISCO - North Beach Festival June (near the beach) northbeachfestival.org
July
INDEPENDENCE DAY BEACH FESTIVALS, FIREWORKS: July 4, 2026
CORONADO: Coronado 4th of July Fireworks Celebration 7-9 p.m. launched from Coronado Golf Course | Parade 10 a.m. on Orange Avenue. Free, coronadofourthofjuly.com
DEL MAR: 4th of July Fireworks launched from the San Diego County Fairgrounds during the San Diego County Fair are visible throughout the beach area. Free or fee for best viewing with fair admission, sdfair.com
HUNTINGTON BEACH:
HB 4th of
July at the Beach
Fireworks at 9 p.m. launched from a barge in the Pacific
Ocean | Parade at 10 a.m. on Main Street
beginning near the HB Pier, and concerts all day at the beach. Free, hb4thofjuly.org
IMPERIAL BEACH: 4th of July Fireworks from Imperial Beach Pier, 9 p.m. to insure maximum visibility with the benefit of darkness. You can view the fireworks on the beach from Imperial Beach Blvd. to Palm Avenue, facing the end of Portwood Pier. Bring a picnic or grab a snack from neighboring businesses, then spread your beach blanket early to claim some space and catch all the action. Stick around after the fireworks display for music at Imperial Beach Pier Plaza. Free, ib-chamber.com
LONG BEACH: 4th of July Fireworks launched from Queen Mary, a BBQ at the Aquarium of the Pacific, and many ways to see the fireworks at night. Watch the show for free from the downtown waterfront or book a fireworks cruise for a closer view! Viewing all along the waterfront, with prime viewing points at Lions Lighthouse in Shoreline Aquatic Park, Shoreline Village, Rainbow Harbor, and Marina Green. Free, queenmary.com
MARINA DEL REY: 4th of July Fireworks July 4, 2026, 9 p.m.
The fireworks are shot from a barge on the waters of the Main Channel in Marina del Rey. You can view the show from nearly anywhere in Marina del Rey and surrounding areas such as the Venice Pier, Playa Vista, and Dockweiler Beach.
Free, beaches.lacounty.gov/ 4thofjuly
NEWPORT BEACH: Newport Dunes Fireworks Show, July 4, 2026, 9 p.m. Visible from some beach and harbor areas, Newport Dunes is a beach resort which charges a fee for parking to see the show visible from its sandy beach $, newportdunes.com
OCEAN BEACH / MISSION BAY / SAN DIEGO: SeaWorld San Diego Fireworks Extended Show July 4, 2026, starts at 9:30 p.m. Free to see on local beaches. Free seaworld.com/
OXNARD: Fireworks by the Sea - Independence Day in Oxnard Watch the night sky light up at the Channel Islands Harbor in the only seaside fireworks show in Ventura County. 4th of July Family Parade The Channel Islands Harbor 4th of July Children’s Parade is back! Parade begins in the morning on Albacore Way, travels north up Harbor Blvd. and ends at Cabezone Circle, home to Marine Emporium Landing. Electric Boat Parade Bring your family and sit Harbor side to watch the 4th of July Electric Boat Parade! Free, visitoxnard.com
PISMO BEACH: The City of Pismo Beach hosts the annual July 4th Celebration & Fireworks Display on July 4. Vendors sell in Pier Plaza starting at 9 a.m., music from Epic Entertainment 12-9 p.m., and the best fireworks show on the Central Coast launched off the Pismo Pier at 9 p.m. Free, pismobeach.org/ 1013/ Fourth-of-July
REDONDO BEACH: July 4, 2026, 9 p.m. Celebrate Independence Day with a spectacular fireworks show at King Harbor! Seaside Lagoon offers great beach seating for the show - bring your blankets and chairs! Free, redondo.org
SAN CLEMENTE: Fireworks at the Pier 9 p.m. San Clemente Pier firework show starts at 9 p.m. Celebrate Independence Day and our nation's freedom. Pull up a chair — there's plenty of room along the beach and ocean trail. Free, san-clemente.org
SAN DIEGO: Big Bay Boom Fireworks 9:15 p.m. launched from 4 barges in the
San Diego Bay.
Bring your lawn chairs to watch the show. With four locations —
Shelter Island,
Harbor Island,
North Embarcadero and
Coronado Ferry Landing — there's plenty of room to see the show. Free, bigbayboom.com
SANTA BARBARA: Independence Day Fireworks July 4, 2026, 9 p.m. Throughout the day there's free live music and dance performances on the beach, capped off with a bang during a 20-minute fireworks display sponsored by the City’s Waterfront Department. Free, santabarbaraca.gov
MENDOCINO: Mendocino Music Festival
July 11-25, 2026
CA-1 Hwy, approx. 3 hours north of San Francisco
Mendocino, CA
$, mendocinomusic.org
The only music festival that overlooks the Pacific Ocean! Performance tents
are constructed on the town's cliffs fronting the beach so concerts take
place even when it's raining, which happens sometimes.
Evenings include orchestra concerts, Big Band, chamber music ensembles, dance, blues, jazz, world, folk, bluegrass and contemporary music. Daytime concerts
are held in small, intimate venues throughout the historic town.
PORT HUENEME:
Hueneme Beach Festival July 12-13,
2025, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | 2026 tba
Hueneme Beach Park
East Surfside Drive
Port Hueneme, CA
Free admission, $10 parking, facebook.com/
huenemebeachfestival/
Concerts on stage throughout, carnival fun zone,
food & other vendors and a beachin' good time!
SAN CLEMENTE:
San Clemente Ocean Festival
"The Greatest Show on Surf" July 18-19, 2026
Free admission, oceanfestival.org
Famous Dory boat races, 5K beach run, one-mile swim, Groms Rule Surf Contest, Dolphin Dash kid's beach run and Great Rubber Duck Race.
Also, FREE beach concert, Sand Sculpting Contest, Woodie Car Exhibits, and the Ocean Art Show.
LONG BEACH - Love Long Beach. This isn’t just a festival. It's a summer ritual July 18-19,
2026, 2-10 p.m.
ShoreLine Aquatic Park, 200 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Free - $140 lovelongbeachfestival.com
Love Long Beach Festival 2026
11th Annual Celebration at ShoreLine Aquatic Park is a weekend of
dancers, artists, families, and music lovers: Whole Earth Village,
Kids Corner,
Beachfront Yoga & Sound Healing,
Live Art Installations,
Local Food Vendors & Trucks,
Maker & Merchandise Village
SANTA BARBARA: Woodies at the Beach July 25, 2026
Santa Barbara City College
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA
Free,
santabarbarawoodies.com
Perched on a hill above the Pacific Ocean at Santa Barbara City College, the
spacious green lawns offer a welcoming setting for classic "woods" or woodie
cars. Honestly, this event is not a sandy-beach event. But because of the
name and views of the ocean, we're posting it here for your enjoyment.
LONG BEACH: Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival July 25, 2026, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
5225 East Paoli Way
Long Beach CA
90803
Free to see,
lbdragonboat.com
Exciting boat races in the Long Beach Marina where the Olympic Games are
slated to return (in 2028), the fun for spectators takes place on the sandy
beach where games and contests like ice cream eating or shopping & browsing
vendors more reasons to come check it out.
HUNTINGTON BEACH - US Open of Surfing and Beach Games July
25-August 2, 2026
Huntington City Beach near Huntington Beach Pier
Pacific Coast Highway between Main and Huntington Streets,
Huntington Beach, CA
Free, usopenofsurfing.com
Surfing's just one of the many sports (including skateboarding, BMX,
etc.) taking place in a gigantic beach playground filled with
arenas, grandstands, tents, and even a bar/lounge for adults.
Discover new lifestyle products, demos, music, giveaways and fun for
all ages. It's the place for teens, tweens and the young at heart to
see & be seen.
HERMOSA BEACH: International Surf Festival
July 29-August 2, 2026
Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and Torrance Beach, CA
Free to see, surffestival.org
Four Cities Come Together for South Bay Surf Festival
You'll seldom see so many beach athletes converging in one location to compete
in a full lineup of beach sports both in the ocean and on the sand.
To be determined
PORT HUENEME:
Hueneme Beach Festival July 12-13,
2025, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | 2026 tba
Hueneme Beach Park
East Surfside Drive
Port Hueneme, CA
Free admission, $10 parking, facebook.com/
huenemebeachfestival/
Concerts on stage throughout, carnival fun zone,
food & other vendors and a beachin' good time!
August
LONG BEACH: Catalina Ski Race August 1, 2026
Waterski to Catalina and back in 51 Minutes
Location: Starts in Long Beach Harbor catalinaskirace.net
Spectators can stand on the sand or hang out on their boats and watch
athletes water ski to Catalina Island some 50 miles round-trip.
PACIFICA: World Dog Surfing Championships
August 1, 2026, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Presented by World Dog Surfing
Championships
Linda Mar State Beach
Pacifica, CA surfdogchampionships.com
Frisky, gnarly dogs get a little help mounting their little surfboards and
riding the waves along the shoreline.
VENICE:
Festival of Chariots
August 2, 2026, 10 a.m.
Venice Beach, CA
Free admission, larathayatra.com
Three fully decorated four-story tall chariots lead a colorful parade toward
the Ocean Front Walk Plaza at Venice Beach.
OCEANSIDE:
Oceanside Longboard Surfing Contest & Beach Festival
August 7-9, 2026
Guy Takayama Pro-Am Noseriding at Oceanside Pier and Amphitheater
200 N. The Strand, Oceanside, CA.
Free to watch, oceansidelongboardsurfingclub.org
Longboard surfing is a niche event, part of the classic surfing style which
began with pioneers such as famed Duke Kahanamoku. Longboards are big and
heavy when made of wood, and there's great respect for those who can ride
them gracefully. This is one of the most fun surfing contests to watch —
especially the noseriders and tandem surfers where guys lifts girls upon
their shoulders in a form of ballet on surfboards - on the water.
PEBBLE BEACH:
Pebble
Beach Concours d'Elegance
August 16, 2026
$325-375 general admission, pebblebeachconcours.net
Held the third Sunday in August, this elite event brings entrants from around
the globe, entering rare, one-of-a-kind
automobiles. Set on the greens of the stunning
18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, the Pacific Ocean's
crashing waves make for a dramatic, sometimes
breath-taking experience. What could be more
beautiful?
To be determined
PT. REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE - Big Time Festival July nps.gov/pore
September
VENTURA: Aloha Beach Festival September
5-6, 2026
Surfers Point
Shoreline Drive (across the street from Ventura County Fairgrounds off Figueroa;
cross streets Figueroa and Harbor)
Ventura, CA 93001
Free,
alohabeachfestival.us
Hawaiian music and dance, reggae, a surfing competition, Frisbee-catching
dogs, and plenty of vendors at the beach west of Ventura Pier. The
laid-back Aloha Beach Festival captures the spirit of Hawaii on the shores
of California.
DANA POINT: Ohana Beach Festival September 25-27, 2026.
Doheny State Beach
Dana Point, CA
$tickets, ohanafest.com
Music festival on the
beach features 35+ performances across three stages with acts of different
genres, though primarily rock, pop, reggae, blues and indie. Last year saw Eddie
Vedder and Green Day.
PACIFICA:
Pacific Coast Fog Fest September 26-27,
2026, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Palmetto at Highway 1
Pacifica, CA
Free admission, pacificcoastfogfest.com
Celebrate the City of Pacifica's fog for 39 years with a Photo Contest, Fog Jog, Parade,
Sand Sculpting and over 20 bands! Along the shoreline south of San
Francisco, Pacifica is known for its great surfing, fishing pier and
frequent fog. It's part of the Bay Area's charm for those who embrace it.
And in Pacifica's case, they have the good humor to celebrate it.
CAPITOLA: Capitola Beach Festival
September 26-27, 2026
Esplanade Beach
Capitola, CA
Free admission, capitolabeachfestival.com
Held the last Full weekend in September, beach festivals are a long-standing
tradition in this beach town where everything centers around the ocean.
Games, food, vendors, arts and a scenic setting like no other.
October
HUNTINGTON BEACH:
Pacific Airshow October 2026
pacificairshow.com
Directly on and over the beach in Huntington Beach, CA, see military
aircraft fly flawlessly overhead, watch vintage warbirds and enjoy on-water
shows with stunts and entertainment. Free to see, while upgrades include
comfortable tent shade or stadium seating plus VIP food & beverage
options and less crowded restroom facilities.
OCEAN BEACH:
Ocean Beach "OB" Oktoberfest October 9-10,
2026
Fri 4-11:30 p.m.; Sat 12-11:30 p.m.
oceanbeachsandiego.com or oboktoberfest.com
California's only beach Oktoberfest takes place on the sand in the great
outdoors for a refreshing time minus the musty bier halls. Look for a mix of
dirndls and bikinis, lederhosen and beach wear at San Diego's iconic 'OB'.
PISMO BEACH: Pismo Beach Clam Festival
October 17-18, 2026
Pismo Beach Pier, Beach and Downtown
100 Pomeroy Avenue
Pismo Beach, CA
Free admission, experiencepismobeach.com
Pismo Beach at one time was the coastal destination for clamming and that's
when the Clam Festival got started. Today this Central Coast Wine Country
beach town blends the best of clam cuisine with tastings, family events and
the usual vendors, music, and great location to make it a fun time for all.
SAN FRANCISCO: Ocean Beach LEAP Sandcastle Contest October 24, 2026, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Ocean Beach
San Francisco, CA
leaparts.org | leapsandcastleclassic.org
LEAP Annual Sandcastle Contest involves teams of architects, engineers,
contractors, designers, corporations and local elementary school students who
work together to build giant sand sculptures. The funds raised by teams and
sponsors make it possible for Leap to continue to provide arts programs to Bay
Area schoolchildren. The spectating is spectacular.
To be determined
DRAKES BEACH, PT. REYES SEASHORE - Sand Sculpture Contest September nps.gov to be announced
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.